أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ سَيْفٍ الْحَرَّانِيُّ ، قَالَ : نا يَعْقُوبُ وَهُوَ ابْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ ، قَالَ : نا أَبِي ، عَنْ صَالِحٍ ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ ، وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيِّبِ ، وَعَلْقَمَةُ بْنُ وَقَّاصٍ ، وَعُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا ، فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ ، قَالَ : وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا ، وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ ، وَأَثْبَتَ لَهُ اقْتِصَاصًا ، قَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ، وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا ، وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ ، قَالُوا : قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ : كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا ، أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ ، فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا ، خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَعَهُ ، فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ : فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا ، فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي ، فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلَ الْحِجَابُ ، فَكُنْتُ أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجٍ ، وَأَنْزِلُ فِيهِ ، فَسِرْنَا ، حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ ، وَقَفَلَ ، ودَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَافِلِينَ ، آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ ، فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ ، فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ ، فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي ، أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي ، فَالْتَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي ، فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارٍ ، قَدِ انْقَطَعَ ، فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي ، فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ ، وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرحَلُوني ، فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي ، فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ ، وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ ، وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا ، لَمْ يُهَبَّلْنَ ، وَلَمْ يَغْشَاهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ ، إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ ، فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَحَمَلُوهُ ، وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ ، فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا ، وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ ، فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ ، وَلَيْسَ بِهَا مِنْهُمْ دَاعٍ وَلا مُجِيبٌ ، فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ ، وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي ، فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ ، فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي ، غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي ، فَنِمْتُ ، وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ ، مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ ، فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي ، فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ ، فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي ، وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ ، فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي ، فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي ، وَاللَّهِ مَا تَكَلَّمْنَا كَلِمَةً ، وَلا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ ، وَهَوَى حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ ، فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا ، فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهَا ، فَرَكِبْتُهَا ، فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ ، حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ مُوغِرينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ ، وَهُمْ نُزُولٌ ، فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ ، وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الإِفْكِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ ، قَالَ عُرْوَةُ : كَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُسَبَّ عِنْدَهَا حَسَّانٌ ، وَتَقُولُ : إِنَّهُ قَدْ قَالَ : فَإِنَّ أَبِي وَوَالِدَهُ وَعِرْضِي لِعْرِضِ مُحَمَّدٍ مِنْكُمْ وِقَاءُ ، قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ : فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ ، فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْنَا شَهْرًا ، وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الإِفْكِ ، لا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ، وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي ، إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ : كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ ؟ " ، ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ ، فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي ، وَلا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ ، حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ حِينَ نَقِهْتُ ، فَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ عَلَى الْمَنَاصِعِ ، وَكَانَتْ مُتَبَرَّزَنَا ، وَكُنَّا لا نَخْرُجُ إِلا لَيْلا إِلَى لَيْلٍ ، وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا ، وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الأُولَى ، وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا ، فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأَمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا ، فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا ، فَقَالَتْ : تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ ، فَقُلْتُ لَهَا : بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ ، أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا ؟ ! قَالَتْ : أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ ، أَوَ لَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ ؟ قُلْتُ : وَمَا قَالَ ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ ، فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي ، فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي ، دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : " كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ ؟ " ، فَقُلْتُ لَهُ : ائْذَنْ لِي آتِي أَبَوَيَّ ، وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا ، فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَيَّ ، فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي : يا أُمَّتَاهُ ، مَاذَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ ؟ قَالَتْ : يَا بُنَيَّةُ ، هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ ، فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةٌ ، عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ ، إِلا كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا ، فَقُلْتُ : سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ ، أَوَ لَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا ؟ ! فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ ، لا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ ، وَلا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ، ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي ، فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ، وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ ، يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ ، فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ ، فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ ، وَبِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ لَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ ، فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ : أَهْلُكَ ، وَلا نَعْلَمُ إِلا خَيْرًا ، وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ ، فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ، وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ ، وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ ، فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَرِيرَةَ ، فَقَالَ : " أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ ، هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ ؟ " ، قَالَتْ : وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ ، مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا قَطُّ أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ ، أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ ، تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا ، فَيَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَيَأْكُلُهُ ، قَالَتْ : فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ ، فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ ، وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ، فَقَالَ : " يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ، مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي ، وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلا خَيْرًا ، وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلا خَيْرًا ، وَمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلا مَعِي " ، فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ ، أَخُ وَبَنِي عَبْدِ الأَشْهَلِ ، فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، أَنَا أَعْذِرُ مِنْهُ ، فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الأَوْسِ ، ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ ، وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا الْخَزْرَجِ ، أَمَرْتَنَا ، فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ ، قَالَتْ : وَقَامَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ ، وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ حَسَّانٍ ابْنَةَ عَمِّهِ مِنْ فَخِذِهِ ، وَهُوَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ ، قَالَتْ : وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلا صَالِحًا ، وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ ، فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ : كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ ، لا تَقْتُلُهُ ، وَلا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ ، فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ ، وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ ، فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ : كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ ، لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ ، فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ ، فَثَارَ الحَيَّانِ : الأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا ، وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ، فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ ، حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ ، قَالَتْ : وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ ، لا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ ، وَلَمْ أَكْتَحِلْ بِنَوْمٍ ، وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي ، وَقَدْ بَقِيتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا ، لا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى إِنِّي لأَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي ، فَبَيْنَا أَبَوَايَ جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي ، اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ ، فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا ، فَجَعَلَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي ، فَبَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ ، دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَسَلَّمَ ، ثُمَّ جَلَسَ ، وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا ، وَلَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي بِشَيْءٍ ، فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حِينَ جَلَسَ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : " أَمَّا بَعْدُ ، يَا عَائِشَةُ ،فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا ، فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً ، فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ ، وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ ، فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ ، وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ ، فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ، ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ " ، فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَقَالَتَهُ ، قَلَصَ دَمْعِي ، حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً ، وَقُلْتُ لأَبِي : أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِيمَا قَالَ ، فَقَالَ : وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي : أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِيمَا قَالَ ، قَالَتْ : وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَقُلْتُ ، وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ ، لا أَقْرَأُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ كَثِيرًا : إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ ، حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ ، وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ : إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ ، لا تُصَدِّقُونِي ، وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ ، وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّنِي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي ، فَوَاللَّهِ لا أَجِدُ لِي مَثَلا وَلا لَكُمْ ، إِلا أَبَا يُوسُفَ ، حِينَ قَالَ : فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ ، ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ ، فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي ، وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ حِينَئِذٍ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ ، وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي ، وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَنْزِلٌ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى ، وَلَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرُ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ ، وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللَّهُ بِهَا ، قَالَتْ : فَوَاللَّهِ ، مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَجْلَسَهُ ، وَلا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ ، حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ، فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ ، حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ الْعَرَقُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ ، وَهُوَ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ ، مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقُرْآنِ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ، قَالَ : فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ ، فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا ، أَنْ قَالَ : " يَا عَائِشَةُ ، أَمَّا اللَّهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ " ، فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي : قُومِي إِلَيْهِ ، فَقُلْتُ : وَاللَّهِ لا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ ، وَإِنِّي لا أَحْمَدُ إِلا اللَّهَ ، قَالَتْ : وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ : إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ لا تَحْسَبُوهُ شَرًّا لَكُمْ بَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ مَا اكْتَسَبَ مِنَ الإِثْمِ ، الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا ، فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي ، قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ، وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ : وَاللَّهِ لا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ ، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى : وَلا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ ، فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ : بَلَى ، وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي ، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ الَّذِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ ، وَقَالَ : وَاللَّهِ لا أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا ، قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ : وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي ، فَقَالَ لِزَيْنَبَ : مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ ، أَوْ رَأَيْتِ ؟ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ : وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ ، وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا ، فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ، قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ : فَهَذَا الَّذِي بَلَغَنِي مِنْ حَدِيثِ هَؤُلاءِ الرَّهْطِ"
EnglishUnverified translation
Abu Dawud Sulayman ibn Sayf al-Harrani informed us, he said: Ya'qub, that is Ibrahim ibn Sa'd, informed us, he said: My father narrated to us, from Salih, from Ibn Shihab, he said: 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, 'Alqamah ibn Waqqas, and 'Ubayd Allah ibn 'Abd Allah related to me, from 'A'ishah, the wife of the Prophet, peace be upon him, when the people of the slander (ahl al-ifk) said what they said about her, and Allah exonerated her. He said: Each of them related to me a portion of her hadith, and some of them were more retentive of her hadith than others, and more precise in its transmission. I have preserved from each of them the hadith that he related to me from 'A'ishah, and some of their hadith corroborates some, even though some were more retentive than others. They said: 'A'ishah said: When the Prophet, peace be upon him, intended to travel, he would draw lots among his wives, and whichever of them had her lot drawn, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would take her with him. 'A'ishah said: So he drew lots among us in a military expedition he undertook, and my lot came out, so I went out with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, after the command of the hijab had been revealed. I was carried in a hawdaj (litter) and placed in it. We traveled until the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, had finished that expedition and was returning, and we were approaching Madinah on the return journey. He announced the departure one night, so I rose when they announced the departure, and I walked until I had passed the army. When I had taken care of my need, I returned to my camp, and I felt for my chest, and lo, there was a necklace of mine made from Zafar beads, broken. I went back searching for my necklace, and my search for it detained me. The party who used to prepare my hawdaj came, and they lifted my hawdaj and placed it on the camel I used to ride, thinking that I was in it. At that time, women were light; they were not heavy with flesh, nor did meat cover them—they merely ate a morsel of food. So the people did not find the hawdaj light when they raised it and carried it, and I was a young girl. They sent the camel forth and departed. I found my necklace after the army had moved on, and I came to their encampment, but there was not a single person among them calling or responding. I took my place where I had been, thinking they would miss me and return to me. While I was sitting in my place, sleep overcame me, and I slept. Safwan ibn al-Mu'attal al-Sulami, then al-Dhakwani, was behind the army. He came to my place at dawn and saw the dark form of a person. He recognized me when he saw me, for he had seen me before the hijab. I awoke at his exclamation when he recognized me, and I covered my face with my jilbab. By Allah, we did not speak a single word, nor did I hear from him a single word except his exclamation. He knelt down and made his she-camel kneel, and I rose to her and mounted her. He set forth, leading the she-camel, until we reached the army when they were dismounting at midday. Perished those who perished. And the one who took the leading part in the slander was 'Abd Allah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul. 'Urwah said: 'A'ishah used to dislike that Hassan be reviled in her presence, and she would say: Indeed, he has said: \For my father"," my ancestor"," and my honour are the shield of the honour of Muhammad against you.\" 'A'ishah said: We arrived in Madinah"," and when we arrived I fell ill for a month"," while the people were spreading the words of the people of the slander. I was unaware of any of that"," and what made me suspicious in my ailment was that I did not recognize from the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," the tenderness I used to see from him when I fell ill. The Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," would enter upon me and then say: \"How are you?\" and then he would leave. That made me suspicious"," though I sensed no harm. Until I went out when I had recovered"," and Umm Mistah went out with me to the open spaces (al-manasik). She used to be our place of relief"," and we used not to go out except from night to night"," before the privies were taken close to our houses. Our affair was that of the early Arabs"," and we used to dislike taking privies near our houses. So I and Umm Mistah set out toward our house when we had finished our business. Umm Mistah stumbled on her garment and said: \"Woe to Mistah!\" I said to her: \"Shame on what you have said! Do you revile a man who witnessed Badr?\" She said: \"O you there"," have you not heard what he said?\" I said: \"And what did he say?\" She informed me of the words of the people of the slander"," and I became sicker on top of my sickness. When I returned to my house"," the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," entered upon me and then said: \"How are you?\" I said to him: \"Permit me to go to my parents"," for I wish to verify the news from them.\" The Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," gave me permission. I came to my parents and said to my mother: \"O my mother"," what are the people talking about?\" She said: \"O my daughter"," be easy upon yourself. For rarely has there ever been a beautiful woman with a man who loves her and who has co-wives"," except that they would increase in slandering her.\" I said: \"Glory to Allah! Have the people really talked about this?\" I wept that night until morning"," with my tears not ceasing and my eyes not finding sleep. Then I woke weeping in the morning. The Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," called 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and Usamah ibn Zayd when the revelation was delayed"," seeking their counsel regarding separation from his family. As for Usamah"," he indicated to the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," what he knew of the innocence of his family and what he knew of goodness in himself. Usamah said: \"Your family"," and we know nothing but good.\" As for 'Ali"," he said: \"O Messenger of Allah"," Allah has not constrained you"," and there are many other women besides her. Ask the slave girl"," and she will tell you truly.\" The Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," called Barirah and said: \"O Barirah"," have you seen anything that arouses your suspicion?\" She said: \"By the One who sent you with the truth"," I have never seen anything concerning her that I would fault"," except that she is a young girl who sleeps and leaves the dough of her family"," and the domestic fowl comes and eats it.\" She said: The Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," rose that day and sought to excuse himself from 'Abd Allah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul while he was upon the minbar. He said: \"O company of Muslims"," who will excuse me regarding a man whose harm has reached my family? By Allah"," I know nothing concerning my family but good"," and they have mentioned a man about whom I know nothing but good"," and he does not enter upon my family except with me.\" Sa'd ibn Mu'adh"," the brother of Banu 'Abd al-Ash'hal"," rose and said: \"O Messenger of Allah"," I will excuse you from him. If he is from the Aws"," I will strike his neck"," and if he is from our brothers"," the Khazraj"," command us"," and we will carry out your command.\" She said: A man from the Khazraj rose"," and the mother of Hassan was his cousin from his clan"," and that was Sa'd ibn 'Ubada"," the chief of the Khazraj. She said: Before that he had been a righteous man"," but tribal zeal overcame him. He said to Sa'd ibn Mu'adh: \"You have lied"," by the might of Allah! You will not kill him"," and you have no power to kill him.\" Usayd ibn Hudayr rose"," and he was the paternal uncle of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh. He said to Sa'd ibn 'Ubada: \"You have lied"," by the might of Allah! He will indeed kill him"," for you are a hypocrite"," arguing on behalf of the hypocrites.\" The two tribes"," the Aws and the Khazraj"," rose up"," almost coming to fight"," while the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," was standing upon the minbar. He kept calming them until they fell silent"," and he fell silent. She said: I wept that day"," my tears did not cease"," and I found no sleep. My parents came to me"," having remained for two nights and a day without sleep"," until I thought my weeping would split my liver. While my parents were sitting with me and I was weeping"," a woman from the Ansar sought permission to enter"," and I gave her permission"," and she began to weep with me. While we were in that state"," the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," entered"," offered salam"," and then sat down. He had not sat with me since the matter was mentioned before that. A month had passed without anything being revealed to him concerning my affair. The Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," pronounced the tashahhud when he sat"," and then said: \"To proceed"," O 'A'ishah"," indeed such-and-such has reached me concerning you. If you are innocent"," then Allah will exonerate you"," and if you have committed any sin"," then seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him"," for when a servant confesses a sin and then repents"," Allah accepts his repentance.\" When the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," had finished his words"," my tears dried up until I could not perceive a single drop. I said to my father: \"Answer the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," regarding what he said.\" He said: \"By Allah"," I do not know what to say to the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him.\" I said to my mother: \"Answer the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," regarding what he said.\" She said: \"By Allah"," I do not know what to say to the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him.\" I said"," and I was a young girl who did not read much of the Qur'an: \"By Allah"," I have known—you have heard this hadith until it settled in your souls and you believed it. If I say to you that I am innocent"," you will not believe me"," and if I confess to you a matter"," and Allah knows that I am innocent of it"," you will believe me. By Allah"," I find no example for myself or for you except the father of Yusuf"," when he said: 'So patience is most beautiful"," and Allah is the One sought for help against what you describe.'\" Then I turned over and lay upon my bed"," and Allah knew at that moment that I was innocent and that Allah would exonerate me of my innocence. But"," by Allah"," I did not think that Allah would send down concerning my affair a revelation that would be recited. My affair"," in my own estimation"," was too insignificant for Allah to speak concerning me with a matter. But I hoped that the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," would see in a dream a vision by which Allah would exonerate me. She said: By Allah"," the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," did not leave his seat"," nor did anyone of the household leave"," until the revelation came down upon him. There overtook him what used to overtake him of the buraha (the heavy distress of revelation)"," until the sweat would drip from him like pearls"," on a cold day"," from the weight of the revelation that was sent down upon him. He said: The relief came to the Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," and he was laughing. The first word he spoke was: \"O 'A'ishah"," as for Allah"," He has exonerated you.\" My mother said to me: \"Rise to him.\" I said: \"By Allah"," I will not rise to him"," and I praise none but Allah.\" She said: And Allah sent down: \"Indeed"," those who brought the slander are a band of you. Do not think it evil for you; rather"," it is good for you. For every man among them is what he has earned of the sin\"—all ten verses. When Allah sent down this concerning my innocence"," Abu Bakr al-Siddiq"," who used to spend on Mistah due to his kinship and his poverty"," said: \"By Allah"," I will never spend anything on Mistah ever"," after what he said about 'A'ishah.\" So Allah"," the Most High"," sent down: \"And let not those of virtue and wealth among you swear against giving to the near relatives"," the poor"," and the emigrants in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving"," Merciful.\" Abu Bakr said: \"Yes"," by Allah"," I love that Allah should forgive me.\" So he returned to Mistah"," upon whom he used to spend"," and said: \"By Allah"," I will never withhold it from him ever.\" 'A'ishah said: The Messenger of Allah"," peace be upon him"," asked Zaynab bint Jahsh about my affair. He said to Zaynab: \"What have you known"," or what have you seen?\" 'A'ishah said: She was the one who used to rival me among the wives of the Prophet"," peace be upon him"," but Allah protected her through her scrupulousness (wara'). Her sister Hamnah fought on her behalf"," and she perished among those who perished. Ibn Shihab said: This is what has reached me from the hadith of this group.""
